Danger level

Heed fresh snowdrifts. Isolated danger zones in gullies and bowls.

Fresh snowdrift accumulations are mostly small, triggerable only in isolated cases, esp. on wind-protected shady slopes at high altitude. Caution urged in transitions into gullies and bowls. These danger zones occur seldom.

Snowpack

Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations have been deposited on top of an unfavorable old snowpack surface.

Tendency

Pay attention to fresh snowdrifts

Danger level

2400m

Persistent weak layer		2400m
Wind slab		2400m

Caution: isolated weak layers prone to triggering. Heed drifts.

Weak layers in the old snow can be triggered in many cases by one sole skier on W/N/E facing slopes above 2400m. Caution in transitions from shallow to deeper snow, e.g. at entry points into gullies and bowls. Due to fresh snow and northerly winds, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations were generated in gullies, bowls and behind protruberances in the landscape. They can be triggered by one sole skier in the weak old snow, esp. on W/N/E facing slopes above 2400m. Danger zones are easy to recognize for the practiced eye. Avalanches can reach medium size.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold

In the lowermost part of the snowpack there are faceted, expansively metamorphosed weak layers, esp. on W/N/E facing slopes. The fresh snowdrift accumulations lie deposited atop an unfavorable old snowpack surface in high-alpine zones. Highly varied snow depths, depending on wind impact.

Tendency

Fresh snowdrifts need to be cautiously assessed. Pay attention to weak layers in old snowpack.

Danger level

2000m

Persistent weak layer

2000m

Heed weak layers in the old snow

Weak layers in the old snow can be triggered in many cases by one sole skier on NW/N/E facing slopes esp. above 2000m. Caution in transitions from shallow to deeper snow, e.g. at entry points into gullies and bowls. Due to fresh snow and northerly winds, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations were generated in gullies, bowls and behind protruberances in the landscape. Avalanches can reach medium size.

Snowpack

dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold

At mid-level inside the snowpack, esp. on N/NW/NE facing slopes where the snow is shallow, faceted, espansively metamorphosed weak layers are evident. The snowpack is highly diverse even over small areas.

Tendency

Assess snowdrifts with caution

Danger level

2200m

Persistent weak layer

2200m

Heed weak layers in the old snow, they can be triggered in isolated cases

Weak layers in the old snow can be triggered in many cases by one sole skier on W/N/E facing slopes above 2200m. Caution in transitions from shallow to deeper snow, e.g. at entry points into gullies and bowls. Avalanches can reach medium size.

Snowpack

dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer

Inside the snowpack, esp. on N/NW/NE facing slopes where the snow is shallow, faceted, espansively metamorphosed weak layers are evident. The snowpack is highly diverse even over small areas.

Tendency

Pay attention to weak layers in old snowpack.